Syria protesters attack Chinese embassy in Libya

Tripoli
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Syrian and Libyan protesters attacked the Chinese embassy in Libya in Monday, in response to the Chinese vetoes of the UNSC proposal on Syria. After hurling eggs, rocks and tomatoes at the embassy the mob took a break to respect the Muslim prayer hour.

Following an attack on the Russian embassy in Libya on Sunday, protesters turned their attention to the Chinese embassy on Monday. Demonstrators, comprising Libyans and Syrians, enraged by the Chinese-Russian veto of the UN proposal over Syria, attacked the Tripoli based Chinese embassy but were prevented from storming inside.

According to Reuters protesters hurled rocks, tomatoes and eggs at the embassy. They also succeeded in smashing several windows and spraying graffiti on the building. No embassy staff were hurt in the attack as security forces managed to keep the mob at bay.

China supported the Russian position in the United Nations Security Council proposal on Syria. Xinhaunetreported Li Baodong, the Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations, defended the country's veto by saying "Like many council members, China maintains that, under the current circumstances, to put undue emphasis on pressing the Syrian government, prejudge the result of the dialogue or impose any solution will not help resolve the Syrian issue, but instead may further complicate the situation."Li further added "China supports the revision proposals raised by Russia, and has taken note that Russian Foreign Minister will visit Syria next week. The request for continued consultation on the draft by some council members is reasonable."Russia condemned the violent attack on the Russian embassy in Tripoli, stressing that it was a major violation of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations. Konstantin Dolgov, human rights spokesman for Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said "Moscow is deeply concerned with the unsanctioned protests in Tripoli that led to the violation of the Russian Ambassador’s immunity,” RTreported. Dolgov went on to add "Libyan authorities should conduct a thorough investigation into the attack" which was fuelled by an incorrect interpretation of Russia's position over Syria.

Support for Syria's opposition is particularly strong amongst the former Libyan rebels who succeeded, with NATO's assistance, in overthrowing the regime of Muammar Gaddafi. Many Libyan fighters are currently in Turkey on the Syrian border where an army of Wahhabi Islamists are amassing in preparation for an attack on the Assad regime.